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[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!Andravida horse
Country Of Origin | Greece |
History and Background | The breed is believed to trace to the cavalry horses of Ancient Greece; in the fourth century BC used by the Athenian Army. In peace times, the breed was used to transport goods from remote villages and for riding. Beginning in the 13th centyuy, Arabian blood was introduced to create the lighter strain of this breed. In the 20th century, Anglo-Norman blood was added, but numbers went into decline. The breed was saved from extinction in the early 1990s, when Andravida's Selle Francais stallion Calin de Nanteuil, renamed Pegasus, covered some mares, resulting in 50 healthy foals that went to breeders throughout western Greece. Despite this, however, the breed's numbers are still very low, and they are rarely, if at all, found outside of Ilia, where they are bred almost exclusively. Early in the 20th century the breed saw an influx of Anglo-Norman breeds. This combined with the fact that they have not traditionally been bred outside of Ilia means are very rare. In the 1990’s an Andravida stud sired around 50 healthy colts which were sent to breeders throughout Greece. This one animal may have saved the breed from extinction and became the foundation for the official studbook established in 1995. Their numbers remain very low and they are rarely found anywhere outside of Ilia even today. |
Use Today | Riding horse, Transportation, Work horse |
Height | 14 to 16 hands |
Colour | Black, chestnut, bay, dun, palomino and buckskin |
Characteristics | The members of the breed are predominantly brown, bay, chestnut, red roan, black and occasionally grey, though, this tends to be a rare phenomenon. The head is rectangular in shape - quite unremarkable and plain with long ears and a straight profile. The chest is broad and heavy-set with thick muscles; the back is slightly dipped; the shoulders should be well-sloped and the croup only gently so. The horse's legs should be free of excess hair, very strong and thick with good bone. |
Personality and Temperament | The breed's temperament is described as willing but strong. |